Torch cutting apparatus



March 6, 1945.

s. w. HAYES 2,371,048

TORCH CUTTING APPARATUS Original Filed March 20, 1940 Jf lg;

Z0 Z5 10 1/2 25 M r Patented Mar. 6, 1945 TORCH CUTTING APPARATUSStanley W. Hayes, Richmond, Ind., assignor to Hayes Track ApplianceCompany, Richmond, 6 11111., a corporation of Indiana Application August26, 1942, Serial No." 456,144, which is a division of application SerialNo. 325,084, March 20, 1940, now Patent No.

2,317,526, datedApril 27, 1943. Divided and this application October 25,1943, Serial No. 507,650

3 Claims. (01. 33- 27) The present invention relates to metal workingapparatus and particularly to apparatus of the type in which metalcutting means is so mounted that it duplicates the movement of acombined guiding, tracing and propelling means. This application is adivision of my copending application Serial No. 456,144, filed August26, 1942, which is in turn a division of my application Serial No.325,084, filed March 20, 1940, which matured' as Patent No. 2,317,526 onApril 27, 1943.

Generally speaking, metal working apparatus of the type to which thisinvention pertains has been known and used for a considerable period.The apparatus comprises a cutting means, generally termed a torch andemploying a gaseous medium or mediums that provide an exceedingly hotflame when ignited, mounted upon a pantograph. The pantograph is adevice universally movable over a plane surface, the area of which isdetermined by the physical dimensions of the pantograph. The pantographis propelled through the intermediary of a tracing Wheel and the torchduplicates the movement of the wheel.

torch cutting apparatus, of which only a part of the pantograph has beenshown; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along the line 22 ofFig. 1.

The circle cutting attachment comprises a suitably indexed rod l mountedupon a support l2 secured for rotation on a tracing wheel table M by awing nut I6 threaded onto a reduced portion l8 of the support extendingthrough the table. One extremity of the rod is secured to the threadedprojecting end of a tracing wheel shaft 20 by an internally threadedsleeve 22.

A tracing wheel 24 is journaled forrotation on the shaft 20. The shaftis mounted at the lower end of a fork 26 formed by bending a singlepieceof metal into a substantially U shape. The tracing wheel may bedriven by a motor (not shown) through gearing indicated generally byreference character 28. The fork 26 is secured to a hollow tubularsupporting member 30 by a tubular supoperatively connected to the wheelporting member 32 rotatable relative to the support 30. If desired, thetracing wheel assembly may be propelled manually upon deenergization ofthe motor and by grasping the pantograph structure, only part of whichis illustrated and which is indicated by reference character 34. It ispreferred that in manual propelling either support 30 or support 32 begrasped, dependent on whether the wheel is to be guided definitely bythe operator or by a suitable templet.

The connection of the tracing wheel to the radius rod in is such thatthe tracing wheel can move some slight distance up or down withoutcramping the rod, yet it cannot swing sideways. These results areobtained by taper reaming the hole in post [2 through which the rodpasses, as indicated by reference character 36, and threading sleeve 22so that the inner end of rod lllfits into it loosely, but preventingsidewise motion of 20 the rod by a pin 38 passing horizontally through Vthe sleeve and the reduced end of the rod.

an arc, as it can move only about a center determined by the rod supportl2. The radius of the circle described by the tracing wheel, andlikewise by the torch is adjustable by varying the length of the rod 10included between the tracing wheel Adjustment of the rod may be,

and support I2. effected by loosening a wing nut 40utilized to securethe rod in its various positions of adjustment. I

The circle cutting attachment of the present invention may beconstructed readily and eco- Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. In apparatus of the type comprising a tracing wheel and a supporttherefor including a threaded shaft extending outwardly therefrom,mechanism for constraining movement of 1 the Wheel to a circular path,said means comprising w a radius rod connected at one end to saidthreaded shaft and a rotatable mounting post adapted ade justably toreceive the other end of the rod, the connection of the rod to thethreaded shaftcomprising a coupling sleeve receiving the rod relativelyloosely and a relatively tight,horizontally disposed pin extendingthrough therod and move vertically but not sidewise relative to eachnected at one end to said support and a rotatable mounting memberadapted to receive the other end of the rod, the connection of. the rodto the 3. In apparatus of the type comprising a tracing wheel and asupport therefor, mechanism for constraining movement of the wheel to acircular path, said means comprising a radius rod connected at one endto said support and a rotatable mounting member adapted adjustably toreceive the other end of the rod, the connection of the f red to thesupport including structure constrainsupport comprising a couplingmember receiving the rod relatively loosely and a relatively tight,horizontally disposed pin extending through the rod and coupling member,whereby the rod and tracing wheel may move vertically but notside- Wiserelative to each other. e

i ng sidewise movement of the rod relative to the tracing wheel andenabling the two to move vertically relative to each other, whereby therod and tracing wheel may move vertically but not sidewise relative toeach other, and said rotatable mounting member having an aperturetherein 15 enabling the rod to move vertically with respect to saidmounting member. l STANLEY W. HAYES.

